Charges of inappropriate behavior has led to an immediate ouster of the head of Ford’s US operations, after an internal investigation into the allegations.

Some of Raj Nair’s conduct had been “inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct”, said that company quoting form the outcome of the internal inquiry.

Details of what was covered by the inquiry or the reasons for the initiation of the inquiry was given by Ford.

“I sincerely regret” certain behavior, Mr Nair said in a statement.

Ford President and Chief Executive Jim Hackett said in a statement: “We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration. Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”

Ford has appointed Mr Nair as the President of Ford North America on 1 July last year. earlier he had held the position of the chief technical officer and the head of global product development.

No details for the reasons for his leaving the company were detailed by Mr. Nair. He only tendered an apology.

“I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviours consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused,” Mr Nair said.

He added: “I continue to have the utmost faith in the people of Ford Motor Company and wish them continued success in the future.”

There would be no comments on the manner of Mr Nair’s departure by the company, said a spokesman for the US’s second biggest carmaker to the media.

Last year there were allegations of sex and race harassment at two of Ford’s units in Chicago and the company settled the issues after an investigation in August last year in a multi-million-dollar settlement agreement.

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had conducted that investigation. The commission had said that it had found that Ford had taken measures against those employees who filed complaints related to sexual and racial harassment or discrimination after the commission found that the company did discriminate against female and African-American employees and that the complainants were indeed victims of sexual and racial harassment.

Mr Hackett wrote in an open latter about the issues that “there is absolutely no room for harassment at Ford Motor Company…. We don’t want you here, and we will move you out for engaging in any behaviour like this.”

The departure of Mr Nair, considered to be a “rising star” who was employed with the company for 30 years, happened at a “particularly bad time” for Ford, Michelle Krebs, an analyst at Autotrader, said.

She told the Reuters news agency: “Investors and analysts have been unhappy with the seeming lack of a clear direction for Ford, especially in terms of future mobility services.

“The stock price has fallen. The pressure is on Jim Hackett, anointed CEO last spring, to lay out a clear road ahead for Ford.”